Saturday evening. Kiddo came home after having been out and about all day. While he waits for dinner (simmering on the stove) he starts doing homework. English homework. Now, we have this thing: Mom-kid-homework equals bad karma. BUT: He asks when it comes to English. Reluctantly, though.
Kiddo: What does "teilnehmen" mean?
Me: Context?
Kiddo: .... the states that .......
Me: Context?
Kiddo: What?
Me: What context ?
Kiddo: WHAT context?
Me (taking a deep breath): Gimme the whole sentence.
Kiddo: ...... the states that (nahmen teil) (took part) ...
Me: In what?
Kiddo: What?
Me (taking another long breath) : Took part in what?
Kiddo: War.
Me: What war?
Kiddo: Any war.
Me: What war?
Kiddo: WWII
Me: Giving only an opinion or actively participating?
Kiddo: Actively participating.
Me: There you have your word.

Like I said .... bad karma ;-(